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Assessing mental capacity: tensions, values and duties

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2023

Nick Hallett Open the ORCID record for Nick Hallett [Opens in a new window]
Nick Hallett*
Affiliation:
A consultant forensic psychiatrist and training programme director with Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Wickford, UK.
*
Correspondence Dr Nick Hallett. Email: nickhallett@doctors.org.uk
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Summary

This is a commentary on two articles on assessing mental capacity in everyday practice and in the case of the suicidal patient. It explores some of the conceptual problems with capacity, including the lack of a ‘right’ answer and the value-laden nature of capacity assessments in suicidal patients. In England and Wales, in addition to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 clinicians must also consider their duty of care as part of the European Convention on Human Rights as enacted in the Human Rights Act 1998.

Keywords

CapacityMental Capacity ActMental Health Actsuicidal patientEuropean Convention on Human Rights
Type
Commentary
Information
BJPsych Advances , Volume 30 , Issue 1 , January 2024 , pp. 21 - 23
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Royal College of Psychiatrists

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Footnotes

Commentary on… ‘Mental capacity in practice part 1’ and ‘Mental capacity in practice part 2’. See this issue.

References

References

Beale, C, Lee-Davey, J, Lee, T, et al (2023a) Mental capacity in practice part 1: How do we really assess capacity? BJPsych Advances [Epub ahead of print] 28 Feb 2023. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1192/bja.2022.81.Google Scholar
Beale, C, Lee-Davey, J, Lee, T, et al (2023b) Mental capacity in practice part 2: Capacity and the suicidal patient. BJPsych Advances [Epub ahead of print] 28 Feb 2023. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1192/bja.2022.82.Google Scholar
Coggon, J, Kong, C (2021) From best interests to better interests? Values, unwisdom and objectivity in mental capacity law. Cambridge Law Journal, 80: 245–73.Google Scholar
Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust v James [2013] UKSC 67.Google Scholar
B v Croydon Health Authority [1995] 1 All ER 683.Google Scholar
D v R (Deputy of S) & S [2010] EWHC 2405.Google Scholar
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust v C and V [2015] EWCOP 80.Google Scholar
Rabone and another v Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust [2012] UKSC 2, [2012] 2 All ER 381.Google Scholar
Re C (Adult: Refusal of Medical Treatment) [1994] 1 All ER 819.Google Scholar
Re T (Adult: Refusal of Treatment) [1993] Fam 95.Google Scholar
Royal Borough of Greenwich v CDM [2018] EWCOP 15.Google Scholar
Royal Borough of Greenwich v CDM [2019] EWCOP 32.Google Scholar
Savage v South Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust [2008] UKHL 74, [2009] AC 681.Google Scholar
Wye Valley NHS Trust v Mr B [2015] EWCOP 60.Google Scholar
Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust v James [2013] UKSC 67.Google Scholar
B v Croydon Health Authority [1995] 1 All ER 683.Google Scholar
D v R (Deputy of S) & S [2010] EWHC 2405.Google Scholar
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust v C and V [2015] EWCOP 80.Google Scholar
Rabone and another v Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust [2012] UKSC 2, [2012] 2 All ER 381.Google Scholar
Re C (Adult: Refusal of Medical Treatment) [1994] 1 All ER 819.Google Scholar
Re T (Adult: Refusal of Treatment) [1993] Fam 95.Google Scholar
Royal Borough of Greenwich v CDM [2018] EWCOP 15.Google Scholar
Royal Borough of Greenwich v CDM [2019] EWCOP 32.Google Scholar
Savage v South Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust [2008] UKHL 74, [2009] AC 681.Google Scholar
Wye Valley NHS Trust v Mr B [2015] EWCOP 60.Google Scholar
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